192. Colonoscopies in women under 50 can significantly lower risk of colon cancer
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
Colonoscopies in younger women can significantly cut their risk of colon cancer, according to a new study published in the journal JAMA Oncology. Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital analyzed data from over 100,000 U.S. women. They found that women who started colonoscopy screening at age 45 had a 50 to 60 percent lower risk of developing colon cancer than those who had no screening. Colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in the U.S. Colon cancer cases among people younger than age 50 rose over 50 percent between 1974 and 2013. While this study shows the benefits of earlier colonoscopy screening for younger women, the findings also likely apply for men.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
